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V.I. Warshawski: BBC Radio Drama Collection

by: BBC Radio 4

Publication date: 1990-09-09

Topics: Radio, Detective, Drama

Language: English

Item Size: 1,007.3M

BBC radio productions of Sara Paretsky’s first four best-selling V.I. Warshawski novels - plus a short story featuring the hard-boiled PI, read by Buffy Davis

Sara Paretsky has created one of the most popular female sleuths in modern crime fiction; Chicago private eye V.I. Warshawski is a strong, smart, independent heroine in a male-dominated world. She tracks down corrupt businessmen, ruthless blackmailers and cold-blooded murderers - while trying not to get killed herself. She’s comfortable packing heat and trailing nasty suspects, but never loses touch with her basic femininity.

Paretsky says of her Warshawski: "I was troubled by the way women were portrayed in (detective fiction) they always seemed either evil or powerless. I thought it was time for a tough, smart, likeable female private investigator".

Indemnity Only

The first novel in the series introduces one of the world's best-loved private detectives. V.I. Warshawski meets an anonymous client on a sizzling summer night, but soon discovers that he has been lying to her. As she questions his motives, she sinks deeper into Chicago's underworld of gangsters, insurance fraud and contract killings.

Written by Sara Paretsky

Abridged in twelve-parts by Janet Hickson.

Read by Liza Ross.

Director: Janet Whitaker

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1990

Killing Orders

When forged share certificates are discovered at a Dominican priory, V.I. really doesn't want to get involved. Because agreeing to investigate would mean doing a favour for Aunt Rosa, who hates her - and the feeling's mutual.

VI Warshawski .… Kathleen Turner

Roger Ferrant …. Martin Shaw

Gabriella …. Avril Clark

Albert …. William Hootkins

Rosa …. Eileen Way

Father Carroll …. Don Fellows

Father Pelly …. Colin Stinton

Father Jablonski …. Peter Penry-Jones

Written by Sara Paretsky

Dramatised in six-parts by Michelene Wandor.

Director: Janet Whitaker

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1991.

Deadlock

At the funeral of her cousin, ice hockey hero Boom Boom, V.I. becomes suspicious that his death wasn't an accident. Her investigation leads her to the heart of Chicago's shipping industry, where someone powerful will stop at nothing to get her off the case.

VI Warshawski …… Kathleen Turner

Lotty …… Eleanor Bron

Bobby Mallory …… William Hootkins

Martin Bledsoe …… James Aubrey

Nils Greyfalk …… Peter Marinker

Paige Carrington …… Teresa Gallagher

Clayton Phillips …… William Roberts

Written by Sara Paretsky

Dramatised in six-parts by Michelene Wandor.

Director: Janet Whitaker

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1993.

Bitter Medicine

Private eye V.I. Warshawski suspects all is not well at a hospital after a young pregnant girl dies.

V.I. Warshawski …. Sharon Gless

Fabiano …. Robert Harper

Bobby Mallory …. Bill Hootkins

Alan Humphries …. Chris Scott

Malcolm Tregiere …. Colin McFarlane

Lottie Herschel …. Eleanor Bron

Carol …. Joanna Monro

Mrs Alvarado …. Shirley Dixon

Consuela …. Teresa Gallagher

Peter Burgoyne …. William Dufris

Written by Sara Paretsky

Dramatised in six parts by Michelene Wandor.

Producer: Janet Whitaker

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1996.

Publicity Stunts

Private Detective V I Warshawski is being set up for a murder she didn't commit - of a woman she hardly knew. The victim is a famous crime fiction writer. Her latest book threatens to uncover the shame of a small American town whose dark secrets and those of her tormentor have been buried for decades.

Written by Sara Paretsky

Abridged in two-parts by Sara Paretsky.

Read by Buffy Davis.

Producer: Joanne Reardon

First broadcast in December 2003.